Read Maiden and the Lion Online
Authors: Lizzie Lynn Lee
Maiden and the Lion (12 page)
The billiards room was spacious and rather dark. The ambiance was mysterious. Seductive. The walls were plastered in dark wainscots with several antique-looking sconces dimly lighting the place. The thick scent of expensive cigars cloyed the air. Spicy clove, too. The smell of men. Rich, powerful men. And her ill-thinking bravado had dragged her into their lair. She felt like Goldilocks in a bear’s house.
Gabriel took her hand from Alex’s and kissed it like a true gentleman. Was he usually this charming? The media often portrayed him as an introverted man who bordered on being antisocial. The Gabriel before her wasn’t like that at all. His smile seemed genuinely warm and somehow…flirty. Which was weird, because the words ‘flirty’ and ‘Gabriel Larousse’ usually didn’t belong in the same sentence. Alex simply nodded and walked away.
“I’m Gabriel. It’s so kind of you to take up my invitation, Miss…”
“Catherine. But everybody calls me Cat.”
“Hmm. I’d prefer to call you Kitty.” A low chuckle erupted.
His deep, dulcet tones sent shivers down her spine.
Whoa.
She’d never met a man with such enthralling sexual appeal. She would have fanned herself if Gabriel hadn’t been standing in front of her.
“Catherine.” Her name rolled off his tongue like something made out of sugar and chocolate, incredibly sexy and hedonistic. “May I buy you a drink?”
“But you just sent me a glass of wine.” She nodded in the direction of her table.
“You didn’t touch it. I’m assuming you’re not particularly fond of Chianti.”
“I’m fine, thank you. Getting me drunk won’t get you anywhere, you know?”
Another rich peal of laughter burst out.
She laughed with him just to be polite. Anxiety crept in, despite the naughty urge that made her want to lick him as if he were her favourite sundae.
Why did he invite me over here? Does he know who I really am?
“So.” Gabriel’s eyes brightened. They were a light hazel with flecks of gold. “May I be privy to this lucky gentleman’s name?”
It took her a few seconds to comprehend what he meant. Gabriel must have guessed she would be meeting someone. The imaginary lawyer who would never show up. And since this was a gentlemen’s club, women rarely popped in here unless they were invited.
“Marvin Jackson. He’s my father’s lawyer. Told me to meet him here to discuss a few things.”
“Marvin Jackson,” Gabriel echoed, looking thoughtful. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met him. And here I thought I knew everybody in this place.”
Crap.
Quick, distract him.
“Nice shirt.”
“You think so? That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing, as well.”
“This old thing?” She managed a quick laugh. “Got it on discount racks at Kohl’s.”
“It suits you well.”
“Thanks.” She spun her brain, thinking of an excuse to get away from this place. Even though Gabriel was hot and all, he was sharper than she’d thought. Sooner or later, he would find out she was blowing hot air. Bathroom? Too cliché. Grab her purse and dash to the door like Road Runner? Hmm…
“Boyfriend?”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t see any ring on your fingers, so you aren’t married or engaged. No mark of a ring either, so you can’t be widowed or previously engaged. You’re too young to be the love interest of the gentleman you’re meeting if he’s your father’s lawyer. Ninety per cent of the members of this club are gentlemen over the age of fifty. I’ve safely assumed you’re either single or in a relationship with a man your age.”
“Wow. You guessed all that based on the fact I’m not wearing any ring?”
“It’s a simple matter of deduction.”
“How do you know I’m not a lesbian and in a domestic partnership with…” Cat gulped and added lamely, “…my partner?”
“I could be wrong.” He tipped his head. “But you would likely have declined my invitation if you were into girls.”
Jesus. She had to get out of here. Gabriel was way, way smarter than she had expected. What had she been thinking, spying on him closely on his own turf like this? She sucked at questioning people. This wasn’t a missing cat or nabbing some married guy who’d had nookie with a stripper. This was some serious shit she was treading in.
“Well?” he demanded.
“Nice shirt.”
Gabriel looked super amused by now. He snatched her wrist and semi-dragged her to the table he was playing on. She had a feeling he knew the game she was at. He thrust the cue stick in her hand and scooped himself behind her. No,
against
her. She could feel warmth emanating from his body, and his scent permeated the air like an intoxicating perfume. It had a heady effect. He didn’t wear any cologne. Just his natural scent. Musk. Feral. And, whatever it was, it spiked her libido to the roof. Her nipples hardened. Her pussy became wet. She felt his hot breath on her ear. The hairs on her nape stood up. She heard a deep inhalation.
Dude. Did he just scent me?
She looked over her shoulder to investigate, but all of a sudden his lips were on her cheek. Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t a kiss. No. It was more like…tasting. He dragged his tongue lazily across her jaw line to the shell of her ear. She shivered. Gabriel nipped her earlobe and sucked it.
Cat’s knees buckled.
About the Author
Hello, my name is Lizzie. I’m a simple gal, love watching TV, playing guitar, and enjoying chocolate and spicy food. I have been writing as long as I can remember. Originally I want to be a horror writer, like my hero Stephen King. But I find writing smut is more fun than writing dismembered body parts. I also want to be a ninja but I heard the pay is peanut. Plus my HMO does not cover throwing star accident.
Email:
[email protected]
Lizzie loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at
http://www.total-e-bound.com
.
Also by Lizzie Lynn Lee
Lions of Manhattan: Night of the Lions
Seeing Stars: To Bed A Goddess
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